Customer Reviews

OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The OnGuard Bulldog Mini 5013TC is a very strong, high quality mini U-lock, perfect for use in low to medium crime areas. After a long search that involved reading online reviews, articles, and comments on bike forums I settled on this lock as my best choice. It has worked out well.

Any U-lock, even heavy top of the line locks from OnGuard and Kryptonite, can be cut with power tools in a few minutes. Still, those power tools make a hell of a racket, and most thieves want to avoid attention. If you live surrounded by neighbors who consider bicycle theft using power tools to be entertaining performance art, the Bulldog Mini is probably not the lock for you.

For those of us who live in lower crime areas, where the thieves use manual tools, the best mini U locks (such as the Kryptonite and OnGuard minis) can provide protection equal or superior to heavier, more expensive U-locks against brute force attacks. The mini locks don't provide enough space for a thief to insert a large metal bar or a jack, so he can't apply the force necessary to quickly break the lock. The Bulldog Mini is strong enough to resist bolt cutters and the other standard attacks. Still, one should keep in mind that a thief with a good hacksaw, some spare blades, plenty of time, and a strong arm can eventually saw through the shackle of any U lock. It is best to park your bike in a location where such activity would be noticed.

All the Bulldog Mini's surfaces are covered with plastic, to prevent scratching the bike. The lock comes with a carrying bracket that attaches to the bike frame. Five flat keys are provided, including one key with a built-in light. The 3.5" x 5.5" measurement cited in the ad describes the inside of the U locking area, not the entire lock. The lock is large enough to go around a good-sized knobby mountain bike tire and a standard parking meter post. The most recent version of the 5013TC looks a bit different from the old, with a more cylindrical crosspiece and different coloring: mostly black, with some yellow. They are good looking locks.

If you buy a mini lock, consider using bicycle guru Sheldon Brown's lock strategy. (Google "Sheldon Brown's lock strategy" for more info.) According to Brown, a U-lock should go around the rear wheel and through the rear frame triangle to the parking meter or other secure attachment. The U need not enclose any portion of the frame. The rear wheel cannot fit through the triangle, so the prospective thief must cut all the way through the rear wheel and tire -- not easy to do. The alternative to this strategy is to secure just the frame.

One lock alone will not secure both wheels. Another U-bolt would be overkill where I live. I have a 4' cable that I can loop into the Bulldog and around both wheels, but I don't usually bother with it except when there is no post to which I can attach the Bulldog. Cables can be cut by bolt cutters, so they don't provide much security anyway.

I purchased both this lock, and the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 Standard Bicycle U-Lock with Bracket (4-Inch x 9-Inch). These are the two locks that are considered to be near the top of the list for U-Lock security.

The very top is the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit Mini Bicycle U-Lock (3.25 x 6-Inch), but I decided against that one due to weight and cost issues. My bike is old and new was only about $1000 when new, and so it isn't going to be the target that a more expensive bike would be.

Between this lock and the Kryptonite Series 4, both are high security. The reason I was in the market for a lock was that I had a cheap U lock cut with a pair of bolt cutters by an apartment manager unhappy that I had locked a bike to a railing. He sliced through that cheap U-lock silently, like butter, and both of these locks have been tested against that and neither lock was cuttable by bolt cutters. However, both can be defeated by a determined thief with power tools and a couple of minutes.

Both locks give you several sets of keys (at least 4) and let you either write down a code or register the code and they'll send free keys if you ask. Both locks include one lighted key, but the thing is huge and takes up so much room on my key chain that I took it off because I've really never needed the dim light it provides. Nice concept, but worthless - you can feel the key hole if it's pitch black.

Neither lock has a decent mounting system. They both come included with one that really only works on a 21" frame, the biggest bike for the tallest riders, because it needs too much space to pull out to mount it on the seat tube. Me and everyone else I've seen just ends up hanging the lock over their handlebars. The lock is rubber coated so it won't scratch your handlebars. If you do that, and you will, be sure to remove the mounting piece on the U lock that clicks into the mounting bracket. Click the bracket onto it and twist the mounting piece off. The mounting piece can be seen as the thick collar over the left post of the U lock where it meets the cross piece.

There are three basic differences between this lock and the series 4. First is the size. The Bulldog barely fits over my mountain bike tire and the smallest pole, like those used for no parking signs. It DOES fit over a parking meter, but many parking meters have had a pipe slipped over the pole that holds them to prevent people from hacksawing the meter off and this lock will not fit over that outer pipe. The series 4 is big enough to fit everything. UPDATE May 2009: They increased the size of the Bulldog Mini lock a bit and that problem is solved with the newer version.

Note that it isn't necessary to lock both your tire and the bike frame unless your frame is really expensive. Just lock the part of the tire that is inside the frame triangle underneath and behind the seat. The bulldog can't fit over both the tire and the seat tube, while the kryptonite can, but it isn't necessary. A thief would never take the time and effort to try to cut all the spokes, and bend the rim to force it through the frame triangle, and if he did he'd wreck half the cost of the bike.

Second is the key and locking mechanism. The Bulldog has a key that breaks off easily and the lock has to be fully seated to work. That means you have to shove the crosspiece in as hard as you can and shove the key in as hard as you can to turn the key without breaking it. Because of the small size, it's not always possible, and you find yourself looking for another pole about 10% of the time. The series 4 has a much stronger key and the mechanism is more forgiving - it doesn't need to be shoved in and is therefore easier to use. Because it fits around everything, that makes it really easy to use.

The last issue is weight. Here is where the Bulldog has the Series 4 beat. The Series 4 weighs about 3.5 lbs and the Bulldog weighs about 1.75 lbs. It makes enough of a difference that I find that the Bulldog mini, with all of its faults, gets the nod and that's the one I tend to use. Now that they've made it larger, it's probably a bit heaver, but the increase in size makes it more desirable, so I'd still recommend it over the Evolution Series 4.

I also have a thin (3/8") 6' cable, much thinner than the 7' OnGuard Akita 5043 Bicycle Security Cable (Lock Not Included) that I place over the ends of the U lock before I lock it that fits through the front tire, and the seat and the mountain bike rack on the back of my bike to keep them from walking away. 6' is the minimum size you need to go through everything. The 7' cable is great for length, but really thick and inconvenient to use. Last time I checked, they did not sell a 6' thin cable on Amazon - bike stores are the only way to get one.

The newer Bulldog MINI is distinguished by TWO yellow end caps and a different mounting bracket using a metal piece on the U-lock. Apart from the bracket, OnGuard claims the difference is mostly cosmetic, but OnGuard also indicates that the anti-theft insurance and guarantee terms differ between these versions. Moreover, OnGuard flatly states that the newer version of the Bulldog MINI is the one that should be purchased if this model is desired. If/when this seller distributes the new version, the photo should be changed. Note that the new Bulldog MINI list price is $35 list price, and that is the price for which it is sold at local recreational equipment stores. So paying that much (w/ shipping) for an older version might not be the best deal.

In terms of durability and strength, this is a great lock. However, the mini size, designed to cut down on the leverage space between your bicycle and the rack, also make this a challenging fit for larger framed bikes. I have a women's Giant Cypress (a hybird) and there's no way this lock will fit around the hefty frame, the wider quick-release tire and the bike rack. The lock will fit around the frame and rack alone.

If you're concerned about securing a quick-release tire on a mountain bike or hybrid in addition to the frame (say you live in a college town where kids like to steal things regardless of value just for the heck of it) you may want to consider one of OnGuards larger locks or this lock in combination with a cable lock to secure any parts that are less tempting targets yet are quick and easy to remove.

I've had this lock now for 2 months. Previously I had a larger 'standard sized' U-lock, and a cable lock that I often used in conjunction. On impulse I bought this Onguard Lock based on the amazon reviews. This size is perfect. It fits into your bag, without taking over your bag. Or I stick it into my back pocket. Seriously I don't even notice it in my back pocket. I lock my bike all over Minneapolis and I feel secure. But one thing, compared to the old O-ring style keys that you could twist around all day long, the key on this lock is not as strong as I'd like. The keys are long and very thin at points, so you could break them in the lock. But all that means is that I have to take a little care when locking the bike. Definitely not a deal breaker. I recommend this lock.
" I figure anyone prepared to break a U-Lock is prepared to break any U-lock so why carry more weight than is useful."

Several aspects of the Bulldog MINI U-Lock make it a very good choice for the commuter in areas where moderate security is adequate. First, the lock is compact, easy to transport in most types of bike-mounted bags or packs, or on the frame mount (not used by this reviewer). The compact size is just right for a single point connection of a frame component to a heavy duty 'U' rack or a parking meter. It won't fit around the trunks of even small street trees - this is not usually a problem, since street signs and other urban elements offer plenty of casual anchorage points in most areas when bike racks are missing or full. Second, the lock is light-weight by U-lock standards, so it won't feel like a ship's anchor in your bike bag or on the mount. Third, the plastic finish coat and end caps are easy on your bike. And fourth, the five keys including a lighted key that are provided with the lock offer more lost or spare key convenience than is probably warranted.

In all, a solid, economical choice.

The same price or less than a cheaper "no-name" U-Bolt lock from a discount store. And living in the mid-west (close to the distribution center) even with "Free Shipping" on orders of $25 or more, it only took THREE DAYS!

I already had a good cable - so combined with this OnGuard Bulldog MINI, most thieves will simply look elsewhere. Any bike is susceptible to theft now-a-days. Doesn't matter if you have a $75 discount store bike, a $750 performance hybrid or a $7,500 road bike - lock it up. All bikes need a good lock.

Edit: Recently someone DID try to get my bike. They did NOT succeed. Instead, they got frustrated & slashed a tire. JERK. Anyway...combine this U-Bolt lock with a good cable passed through the wheels & most thieves will simply look elsewhere or will not succeed.

This lock was kept indoors or in my backpack when not in use but, I only got to use mine about 8 times before the key got stuck in the lock & broke. The lock is often hard to turn. Also the key will often be very hard to remove after locking OR unlocking. I was at home spraying it with lock lube & working the lock back & forth when the key gave out.

If you ever notice the key is hard to remove & your key tip starting to twist out of shape, JUST-TOSS-THAT-KEY-AWAY & use one of the FOUR remaining keys that are included with the lock. Don't EVEN try to use it "just-one-more-time." I was just about to swap keys out when mine broke. No wonder they give you so many spare keys!

A friend of mine had a more expensive On Guard model with the same key design & it was permanently locked. In that case the key would easily turn & turn but the lock would never open.

On the plus side, it seems secure, it's not expensive & it's light weight.

It's been only two weeks, the lock became stuck and I can't unlock it. This is the first time I buy a product from the brand, I'm really upset.

<Update>
The warranty department sent me a new one after one call. Thanks to that. I wish that it won't stuck easily like the last one.

I used this lock for less than a month and the key broke off inside the lock. I did not force the key, but simply turned it and it snapped off. I am not exaggerating! This lock is a joke!